 "Maharashtra ACB registers first case in the multi-crore irrigation scam")
The Maharashtra anti-corruption bureau on Tuesday lodged a case in the multi-crore irrigation dam against six employees of the Water Resources Department and a private contractor.
The case was lodged for alleged misconduct in awarding the contract for the construction of a dam over Balganga river in Raigad district.
The probe was ordered after a complaint was filed by anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania that the contract awarded to FA Enterprises caused a loss of more than Rs 92 crore to the state exchequer.
Damania also alleged that the Balganga project was inflated to Rs 1,500 crore and several irregularities were involved even after the tender was awarded.
The anti-corruption bureau on Tuesday booked FA Enterprises staff Fateh Mohammed Khatri, Nisar Khatri, Jaitun Khatri, Abid Khatri and Jahid Khatri and the former employeees of the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation, including Girish Babar, Balasaheb Patil, Ramachandra Shinde, Anand Kalukhe, Rajesh Rithe and Vijay Kasat.
The anti-corruption bureau has registered a case of cheating and forgery under the the Indian Penal Code and for graft and misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
It had launched an open inquiry in December 2014 into the matter. An anti-corruption bureau official, who did not want to be named, said the investigations revealed that the entire tender process was flawed.
Clearance Issue
Besides, some officials from the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation allegedly helped FA Enterprises get the contract for the development of Balganga dam. Some official allegedly made false entries in several documents to show that the company had the necessary clearances.
The Bharatiya Janata Party had before the Assembly elections last year promised to conduct an open inquiry into the irrigation scam, which surfaced during the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been repeatedly announcing that the party-led government in the state would fulfill its poll promise and take action against those responsible for the multi-crore irrigation scam.
The anti-corruption bureau had initiated an inquiry against former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and his successor Sunil Tatkare and also against a couple of officials from the Water Resources Department and state irrigation undertakings.
The case was lodged for alleged misconduct in awarding the contract for the construction of a dam over Balganga river in Raigad district.
The probe was ordered after a complaint was filed by anti-corruption activist Anjali Damania that the contract awarded to FA Enterprises caused a loss of more than Rs 92 crore to the state exchequer.
Damania also alleged that the Balganga project was inflated to Rs 1,500 crore and several irregularities were involved even after the tender was awarded.
The anti-corruption bureau on Tuesday booked FA Enterprises staff Fateh Mohammed Khatri, Nisar Khatri, Jaitun Khatri, Abid Khatri and Jahid Khatri and the former employeees of the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation, including Girish Babar, Balasaheb Patil, Ramachandra Shinde, Anand Kalukhe, Rajesh Rithe and Vijay Kasat.
The anti-corruption bureau has registered a case of cheating and forgery under the the Indian Penal Code and for graft and misconduct under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
It had launched an open inquiry in December 2014 into the matter. An anti-corruption bureau official, who did not want to be named, said the investigations revealed that the entire tender process was flawed.
Clearance Issue
Besides, some officials from the Konkan Irrigation Development Corporation allegedly helped FA Enterprises get the contract for the development of Balganga dam. Some official allegedly made false entries in several documents to show that the company had the necessary clearances.
The Bharatiya Janata Party had before the Assembly elections last year promised to conduct an open inquiry into the irrigation scam, which surfaced during the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party government.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been repeatedly announcing that the party-led government in the state would fulfill its poll promise and take action against those responsible for the multi-crore irrigation scam.
The anti-corruption bureau had initiated an inquiry against former deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and his successor Sunil Tatkare and also against a couple of officials from the Water Resources Department and state irrigation undertakings.
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